Apple's patent power play, iPad's challenge to whiny publishers, and cyber war

Cringe's readers weigh in on why Apple's patent suit against HTC is wrong, why iPad users will gladly pay for 'print' content, and more

Follow @ifw_cringely

It's time again to dip into the reader mailbag and pull out some nuggets from the residents of Cringeville. First up this morning is Gene Mosher, who has an issue with Apple's patent suit over HTC's touchscreen technology (see "Apple vs. HTC: No matter who wins, we lose").

Mr. Mosher's claim to fame: As a restaurant owner in New York, he developed the touchscreen point-of-sale computers back in the day. He writes:

I have been designing graphic touchscreen widgets, GUIs and touchscreen apps since 1985.  I would love to take the stand in defense of any person or company being sued by Apple or by any other company seeking to enforce a touchscreen widget or GUI patent.  ... I've never patented anything I've done and the world has been free to copy and innovate with what I have shown to all.  That is why, in my opinion, the world is covered with graphic touch-screen systems in restaurants, supermarkets, malls and public places.  I didn't become a billionaire, but I did create, freely show, and encourage others to freely copy my achievements.  A flood of innovation followed and a massive amount of prior art is in place.

[ Want to cash in on your IT experiences? InfoWorld is looking for stories of an amazing or amusing IT adventure, lesson learned, or war tale from the trenches. Send your story to offtherecord@infoworld.com. If we publish it, we'll keep you anonymous and send you a $50 American Express gift cheque. ]

Memo to HTC: If you want Gene to take the stand on your behalf, you can contact him via his company, ViewTouch.

Cringester T. P. adds:

The best way to keep market share and brand recognition is through innovation, not litigation.  Competition should bring out the best in all involved in the game.  Perhaps Apple has forgotten it's roots. ...  We are a litigious society who would rather sue you for your buck, than go out and make our own.  Now I know why technology cost so damn much!

Especially when it comes from Apple (ahem). Finally, Cringe reader John Oram adds that he's written at length for Groklaw on the prior art preceding many of Apple's patents, including that of ViewTouch.